The 20 best houseplants for beginners

Zamioculcas zamiifolia isn’t exactly an easy name to say, but the ZZ plant, as it is commonly known, is a cinch to grow. Perfect for low-light apartments and offices, it only needs to be watered once a week or so and will survive in spaces where only fluorescent lights are available. In addition to the classic ZZ, look for the dramatic Raven ZZ plant, which produces leaves that transform from a bright green to a deep black as they mature. 

A perfect fit for plant newbies who aren’t into high-maintenance houseplants, sansevierias are the definition of easygoing. Plant them in cactus or succulent soil and they’ll only need watering once a month or so, and these plants are available in tons of different varieties that offer a wide range of striking leaf variegations. 

Arguably one of the most common plants in both homes and offices, pothos is easy to grow and looks great as its leaves begin to trail downward. There’s the classic golden pothos, with its yellow-and-green leaves, and the dramatic Marble Queen pothos, which boasts bold white variegations. The best thing about the pothos is that, without fail, they will let you know when it needs water. If it looks a little droopy, give it a drink, but beyond that, pothos will thrive in even the most inhospitable conditions. 

This succulent requires more light than some of the other houseplants on this list but is still easy to grow for anyone who’s got a bright sunny window. Best of all, its leaves can be propagated into new plants as it produces “pups,” or snapped off to produce a goopy gel that can relieve everything from bee stings to sunburns. 

Tillandsia, or air plants, offer dramatic looks for truly minimal effort. These spiky beauties don’t require soil or even frequent watering, just an occasional mist or 15-minute soak in water that will keep them looking great for years.

A plant that keeps on giving, happy spider plants produce “pups” that can be planted in soil to produce entirely new plants. Even if your spider plant doesn’t produce many offspring, its white-and-green leaves add calming vibes to a desk or windowsill. 

Known as the rūbber plant, ficus elastica is perfect for spaces that get plenty of bright, indirect light. It’s a great floor plant thanks to its vertical growth, and the dark leaves add a dramatic pop of color. 

This miniature tree adds tons of visual interest to any space that it’s in, thanks to a frazzle of thin foliage and its cute bulbous trunk. Technically, it’s an agave, which means that it will need plenty of sunlight and soil that is allowed to fully dry out between waterings. 

Capable of producing lush, trailing vines, heart-leaf philodendrons are great for beginners who don’t have optimal lighting conditions in their homes. They’re low maintenance, only needing water once every week or so, and thrive in spaces with indirect or low light. Place up high to encourage those vines to grow downward for an even more dramatic look. 

This cactus gets its name thanks to the bright, colorful blooms that often appear around the holidays. In addition to adding a pop of vibrant color to a space, they’re also easy to care for and look beautiful as a hanging plant, thanks to the leaves that droop downward, especially when covered with blooms. 

Colloquially called “dumb cane,” dieffenbachias love to be left alone — mostly. Once planted in soil with plenty of aeration, the plants like to stay damp (read: not soaking wet) and do best when they can soak up filtered, indirect light. Note: this plant gets its nickname thanks to a numbing effect caused by the leaves when eaten, so make sure that it's out of the reach of curious kids or pets. 

Often called “Chinese evergreen,” aglaonema is available in a wide variety of colors and leaf patterns. It’s easy to care for, only requiring weekly watering and a good supply of indirect light, and will bring lush, dramatic foliage to any space. 

Even though it isn’t technically a shamrock, the oxalis is still a lucky addition to any home. Its deep purple leaves are gorgeous indoors, and when cared for properly, oxalis can thrive for decades. 

For apartment dwellers who can’t exactly build an English garden on their balcony, English ivy brings that vibe indoors. It’s great for training, especially when placed atop a high surface like a tall bookshelf and can be trained to climb walls with a little support from a trellis. 

Though they’re a little more finicky than some of the plants on this list, the gorgeous blooms of African violets are worth a little extra effort. They’ll require filtered water (or tap water that’s been left out for a day or two for the chemicals to evaporate) and bright filtered light, but they’ll look stunning with the right kind of care. 

Native to Africa and Southeast Asia, the pencil cactus is kind of a “set it and forget it” plant. Water it sporadically, every few weeks or so, and make sure that it gets plenty of sun, and the pencil cactus will thrive. 

With their dark green leaves and pure white blooms, peace lilies are a popular choice for condolence gifts, but they also look great in a space that needs a taller plant. They’re super easy to grow, only requiring water every week or so, minimal fertilizer, and can do well in a variety of lighting conditions. 

Called the prayer plant, maranta got its nickname thanks to the way its leaves fold up at night, resembling hands folded in prayer. Available in a slew of different varieties, maranta does well in bright, indirect light with occasional watering, every week or so. Note: these plants due tend to prefer higher humidity environments, which means that an occasional misting will help keep the leaves looking fresh. 

Growing to soaring heights, the bird of paradise is popular among houseplant enthusiasts who love a dramatic look. Distilled water is ideal, but it’s worth the payoff, a plant that’s well-cared-for will occasionally produce a truly beautiful bloom. 

This plant gets its name from the bright white (or red, or both!) variegations on its leaves, which resemble nerves in the human body. It does like frequent watering and indirect light, which means that you’ll need to keep a closer eye on nerve plants than some of the more laid-back greenery on this list.